RETIREMENT OF SIR R. STOUT.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9097, 15 February 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

RETIREMENT OF SIR R. STOUT.

(' Colonis',* Fibruary Bth). That Sir Robert Stout should have felt it incumbent upon him to retire ftom political life affords ground for general regret. Those who have not been able to agree with thai gentleman have recognised that, in many respects, his services to the Btate have been considerable, and it would be evidence of ingratitude were the people interested to forget the good work he did on behalf of the Colony in connection with the Midland Railway. In the earlier days of hia political life Mr Stout, for he was not then knighted, was a pronounced Radical, and he held very strong views on the question of land naturalization. In his acceptance of office in conjunction with Sir Julius Yogel, he was no doubt actuated by a strong desire to do his best for the good of the country, and, indeed, it will be generally admitted that the welfare of the Colony has been his leading motive, though it has been said that he is apt to be influenced by the latest piece of clever reasoning to engage his attention before being called upon to declare hia future line of action. Whether that is so or not, he has been a consistent opponent of the liquor traffic, and has even advocated a curtailment of what many regard as individual rights. He was a declared ally of the late Mr Ballance, and when the present Premier was chosen to fill the place of his late chief Sir Robert was evidently disappointed, and he laid claim to the mantle of Mr Ballance, a claim that waß at least injudicious. From that time, a constantly extending gulf existed between the presen& Ministry and Sir Robert Stout down to the time of the last election, a little prior to which the names of Captain Russell and Sir Robert were mentioned together as chiefs of the Opposition. Rightly or wrongly his actions were ascribed by not a iew to his having nursed a leeling of disappointment, and his criticisms, as as well as his attacks on the Ministerial Party, were the less regarded inconsequence. The members of the Eeddon Administration have had no more lively opponent than Sir Robert, and yet, as was pointed out at Christchurch on Tuesday, they have consistently adhered to the Ballance programme. It would be idle to pretend that they have not made some blunders, but they have been firm to their principles, tbougb they have gone les3 far in the direction of State Socialism than their opponents predicted. That fact, however, has not formed ihe text whereon Rir Robert has preached against the Ministry. His chief theme has been purity of administration, but he has failed to show that the present Government has farther departed from his code of political ethics than did the StoutVogel Administration, that which followed it, or that which preceded it. But while Sir Robert has lost the support of many who were once his adherents, his services have nevertheless been esteemed, for his active brain has been the means of directing thought to many sides of questions that have commanded attention. In such way it is that those who are in opposition often render great service to the State, and even assist those entrusted with great responsibilities to guard against failure. His retirement from active politics will not, in all probability, lead to Sir Robert refraining from publicly criticising questions of public import, and criticism that is free from mere fault-finding is beneficial when it ia offered by men of thought and experience. We are sorry that there I should be any cause for Sir Robert Stout to apply himself more closely to his own affairs, but we hope the Colony will yet benefit from his undoubted abilities.